The Junction Building and Historical Marker

Built around the turn of the 20th century, the Junction Building was originally three stories with a crenellated turret, until a fire destroyed the upper floor and necessitated its removal. During the early 1900s, the Junction Saloon operated on the ground level on the corner of Ballard and 20th Avenues. A popular gathering spot, a social hall was added to the building for larger events. The second floor briefly contained a local government office, prior to Ballard's annexation by the City of Seattle. In 1910, the Crystal Theater also opened at this location, drawing crowds as a venue for silent films and live performances. The property was eventually converted into loft-style apartments, with commercial space retained on the street level. The Junction Building is a contributing structure to the Ballard Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

The Junction Building was constructed on a narrow triangle at the corner of Ballard and 20th Avenues. In the early 1900s, it featured a crenellated turret that showcased the name of the building, "Junction Block," until a fire destroyed the entire third story, which had to be removed along with the turret. The second floor of the building provided space for local law offices and physicians, as well as for H.E. Peck, a one-time mayor of Ballard. Peck maintained a government office at the Junction Building until 1907. when Ballard was annexed by the City of Seattle. Although Ballard was the second largest city in King's County, an issue with the local water supply led to a public vote. Subsequently, residents voted for Ballard to become a part of Seattle.

On the ground floor of the Junction Building, proprietor Stephano Raggio opened the popular Junction Saloon in 1904. Due to its central location, a community hall was also constructed on site as a place for larger social gatherings. When the Crystal Theater opened at this spot in 1910, the theater entertained audiences with silent motion pictures, in addition to live performances. Between 1910 and 1915, people flocked to the venue, which was one of several theaters within Ballard's commercial district. During the 1920s, most businesses relocated from Ballard Avenue to Market Street, and the commercial district shifted a few blocks. This period of growth was followed by the Great Depression in the 1930s, negatively impacting the economy at every level and decimating Ballard's lumber industry.

By the turn of the 20th century, however, Ballard was once again prospering, with new businesses moving into the area, including trendy restaurants, cafes, and shops. For a time, a bank was located in the street level storefront of the Junction Building. Today, the ground floor commercial space is occupied by MacLeod’s, an Irish Pub. The Ballard Historical Society placed a historical marker on the Junction Building as part of a series of markers erected in the Ballard Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The neighborhood is also recognized as a Seattle Historic District. This historical marker was funded through a donation by John Brian Losh and a grant from the City of Seattle.

Ballard Historic District, Nomination Form (National Register of Historic Places), National Archives. May 4th, 1976. Accessed June 23rd, 2023. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/75612416.

Flom, Eric. "Seattle's Early Movie Theaters", History Link. May 14th, 2001. Accessed June 23rd, 2023. https://historylink.org/File/3257.

Marsteller, Tracy. "Junction Building", Historical Marker Database. September 10th, 2021. Accessed June 23rd, 2023. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=181465.

Pheasant-Albright, Julie D. Images of America: Early Ballard. Charleston, SC. Arcadia Publishing, 2007.

Seattle Municipal Archives, City of Seattle. Accessed June 23rd, 2023. https://www.seattle.gov/cityarchives/exhibits-and-education/online-exhibits/annexed-cities/ballard.